You know the song… but did you know Eleanor Rigby might never have existed?
Paul McCartney has said the name “Eleanor Rigby” was entirely fictional… but decades later, a real tombstone with that name was found in St. Peter’s Churchyard — the same church where Paul first met John…
The string octet? It was George Martin’s classical arrangement — and no Beatles played instruments on the track. Just vocals, strings, and silence.
Originally, Paul’s working title was “Ola Na Tungee” — a nonsense phrase before he settled on Eleanor.
George Harrison quietly added the idea of “all the lonely people” — a major theme that shaped the entire chorus.
The character “Father McKenzie” was originally called “Father McCartney” — but Paul changed it to avoid confusion with his dad.
No harmonies, no chorus, no bridge. Structurally, “Eleanor Rigby” broke every pop rule in 1966 — and still hit #1 in the UK.
A real gravestone. No instruments. Just a lonely priest and a name in history.
Comment 🖤 if “Eleanor Rigby” still gives you chills.